The French Riviera by train with Sawday’s & Byway (8 days)

Paris to Nice

If you don’t decide to throw in a night in Paris on the way down (although doesn’t that sound wonderfully cavalier?) then it’s all aboard the TGV out of Gare de Lyon for the six-hour journey south. You can sit and watch as the countryside slide by, the misty Alps in the distance as you swing through Avignon, run along the coast from Marseille and pull into Nice in the evening. Three nights in the breezy splendour of Hôtel Windsor gives you plenty of time to pick your favourite from the many beaches, explore up to the site of the original city at Colline du Château and make a stop at the Matisse museum, giving you a perfect blend of nature, history and culture, not to mention the seafood you’ll find all along the waterfront. 

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“Stepping off the streets of Nice and into the Hôtel Windsor is immediately calming. The hotel is relaxed and full of art; the garden an oasis of foliage and huge moon over the pool.” – Patrick, Sawday’s Inspector 

Nice to Cannes

Outside of the days of the famous festival, Cannes relaxes a little, falling back into the slower rhythms of a beach town but never losing the glamorous glow. Hôtel Le Cavendish, your home for two nights, is as indulgent as the Grand Tour style name suggests, with owners Christine and Guy taking exquisite care over every detail. They have an agreement with the nearby beach, meaning you’ll always have a sun lounger available, but the staff can also direct you to the best of the town and the area. Cruises to the Lerins Islands, Saint Honorat and Sainte Marguerite, give you a fresh perspective on the bay and there’s Le Suquet, the city’s old quarter, as well as food markets and the stunning view from Place de La Castre, which is well worth the climb. At the literal other extreme, dive down into the waters of the Écomusée Sous-Marin and drift among the great stone heads, made by Jason deCaires Taylor, using the features of local residents. 

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“There’s a great feeling of friendliness and traditional values of generosity and discretion, epitomised by the complimentary open bar every evening.” – Jon, Sawday’s Inspector 

Cannes to Paris

Then it’s time to whistle back up the country, stopping in Paris for a couple of nights, or a couple more if you couldn’t resist a stay on the way out, at Hôtel Sainte Beuve. Here, the rooms wear the effortless elegance of Paris and you can idle on the iron balcony, sipping coffee as you review a week of laid-back adventuring. Spend a couple of days exploring this comparatively quiet part of the city centre, with the Jardin du Luxembourg and the abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés a few minutes’ walk away. When you finally board the Eurostar back to London, it’ll feel as if months have passed, full of experiences of a calmer, more authentic France.  

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“On the historic Left Bank, close to Montparnasse and many famous spots, but not too touristy. A refined, human-sized home base with a great atmosphere.” – Sheila, Sawday’s Inspector 

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Information & Booking

The Byway team can you help you tailor your itinerary in every way, from lengthening stays and changing destinations to equipping you with hints and tips to the best discoveries at every stop. If you like the look of this itinerary, get in touch and talk it over with them. You could be having breakfast in Paris by next week!   

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